Southampton vs. Manchester City

The Saints versus The Citizens

It's do or die every game now for Manchester City as the reigning champions head to the south coast unbeaten in 2013...

Vital Quotes:

Roberto Mancini:'I don't think in these last two years there is a team that has played better than us. Manchester United is a strong team, Chelsea is a strong team but I think in the last two years Manchester City is the team that has played better in the Premier League.'

Mauricio Pochettino:'It's obvious that Aguero, Tevez and Silva are great players. We know we have to stop the players passing balls to these three. We know any of these three can decide the match at any time…we have to stop the ball getting to them. All of our matches are difficult in this division, but we know that Manchester City were the champions last season so we will need to be at our best to beat them.'

Southampton Team News:

OUT:Luke ShawGaston RamirezGuly do PradoNathaniel Clyne

Player to watch: Rickie Lambert

To put it bluntly, a handful. City's central defenders will need to be bang on top of their game against this fella. They only need read the match report from our opening game of the season for a reminder. Ominously, he has now scored 99 goals for Southampton.

Manchester City Team News:

OUT:Micah Richards

LATE FITNESS TEST:Vincent Kompany

Player to watch: Yaya Touré

The giant midfielder returns from international duty to the engine room, hopefully alongside Gareth Barry, the man he has forged an understanding with. His very presence alone is often worth a head start and he has a massive role to play in the continuing fight to defend the title.

Match Facts & Stats

THE NUMBERS GAME:Saints have not beaten City in the last 6 meetings.

No other team has conceded fewer shots on target against them this season than The Blues with 65.

City have the finest defensive defensive record in the league with 11 clean sheets.

Southampton have the worst record in the division facing top 10 teams. They haven't beaten one of them all season.

Saints have registered 1 win in their last 9 league games.

No other side has lost so many points from leading positions than Southampton with 24.

Match Prediction:

Johnny On The Spot:
It's pointless (sic) bemoaning the draws City have registered this season in numerous games, most notably those on the road where they have frustratedly battered the home side and failed to take their chances ad nauseam. With The Stretford Gap now standing at 9 points, the season has to start now. A repeat of the stalemates at Chelsea, West Ham and QPR isn't an option at St Mary's where City must take the game to the resurgent Saints and get ruthless when it counts. It won't be easy, but there are some positive omens for Roberto Mancini's men to point to. The injury and absenteeism list is easing and Sergio Aguero is in stunning form. I'm expecting a robust performance from The Blues in advance of an FA Cup weekend with Leeds and the pivotal league clash with Chelsea. Southampton 0 City 2

Your Comments (oldest first)

Great preview, as ever, JB. The Saints are playing some good stuff at the minute and perhaps have not gotten the results that their efforts deserve lately, we have our work cut out to get all three points here but confident we can. Come on City.

I think we know what the game plan will be from Saints - "we have to stop the players passing balls to these three" to me means loads of pressing especially in the middle of the pitch. Nothing we haven't seen before. Need to find the answer.
Another game where an early goal for City would make the task that much easier.

Judging by the way they outplayed our nearly neighbours last time out, Southampton will be a tough nut to crack. Not the sort of team to park the bus fortunately, so looking forward to a good open game. Hopefully having the best midfielder in the league back from the ACN will prove the difference.

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